Page 14 of Better Daddy

“Will.” I frown, stepping closer.

“Sully,” Sloane hisses. “What are you doing here?”

My attention shifts instantly, disappointment sinking like a stone in my stomach. I’m not surprised by the frustration in her tone. Not after yesterday. But it hurts all the same. She’s my wife and the mother of my son and my future child. She’s the center of my universe.

The urge to round the desk and splay my hand over her belly is strong.

I couldn’t feel T.J. move for months, but the action made me feel connected to her and to the baby growing inside her, regardless.

She watches me, the emotion in her eyes unreadable. There was a time when a look like this was enough to tell me exactly what she was thinking. Clearly, that’s no longer true. Her blue irises are stormy, but I don’t know why.

Will clears his throat, reminding us of his presence. “We’ll finish this later, Sloane.” He dips his chin my way. “Sully.”

I frown as he leaves the room.

“I can’t believe you did this,” she hisses.

Fucking hell. The gesture was supposed to be sweet. It took hours to track down all the brands she loved during her first pregnancy, including a pillow with the exact medium firmness she preferred. Is it so wrong of me to hope for a reaction that included something likeAw, I can’t believe you did this; it’s so sweet, rather thanI can’t believe you did this, arsehole?

I cross my arms and spin back to her. “I wanted to do something nice for you,” I growl. “To show you how happy I am. So you know I want to support you.”

Only now do I remember to smile. So I force my lips up into something that should be a grin.

Sloane’s expression pinches. “What is wrong with your face?”

Oh for fuck’s sake. I can’t even smile right.

“Sully.” She pushes the basket to the far edge of her desk. “No one here knows about the baby.”

“Mr. Puffy Hair does.” I lift my chin, signaling to her assistant.

“Julius was the only one until you basically told my boss.”

Panic hits me. I’m fucking it up already. “Well,” I hear myself say, the words coming out without my permission, “if I have anything to say about it, it won’t just be Caesar for long. Everyone will know.”

Sloane drops her elbows to her desk and cradles her face in her hands.

And suddenly I feel like a dick.

“Sweetheart.” I stride to her side and drop to a knee, rubbing her back. She relaxes at my touch, as if the response is ingrained in her, but after a heartbeat, her entire body tightens and she pulls away.

“Don’t.” She sighs.

I put both hands up. “I just want to be there for you and the baby. Your first pregnancy wasn’t easy, and I don’t want you togo through that alone. You haven’t responded to my texts, but please tell me you’re at least considering moving in.”

She opens her mouth, and I’m hit with the overwhelming certainty that she’ll say no, so I continue before she can speak.

“Not for the firm, or Cal or Brian, or even me. But because you and the baby deserve the support system we can give you. I want to be near so I can take care of you.”

She slumps, the fight leaving her. “I’m considering it.”

Chapter 5

Sloane

My vision goes hazy and my thoughts drift as I wait for the teakettle to whistle.

I know the rule, but I can’t look away. Eventually, this watched potwillboil. It’s ironic how slow the process is, considering every other aspect of my life is moving at lightning speed. I’m ten weeks along already. I don’t know yet whether it’s a perk that comes with finding out one is unexpectedly pregnant two months in or whether it’s a curse. I’m a planner. An over-planner, really. So losing those first few weeks, when I could have been making preparations, means it feels like the clock is really ticking. It’s counting down quickly to the day I have to move out of the penthouse. The home I’ve only started to redecorate.